Predictors of Self-Reported Adherence and Plasma HIV Concentrations in Patients on Multidrug Antiretroviral Regimens

BACKGROUND:Adherence to prescribed medications is a central feature of good clinical HIV care, but little is known about the factors associated with multidrug antiretroviral adherence, or about how such adherence is related to plasma HIV suppression. METHODS:We collected data from 133 HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy. Study subjects completed customized adherence self-report instruments and provided blood samples to measure plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations and CD4 lymphocyte counts. Regression models were used to determine the independent predictors of antiretroviral adherence and plasma HIV concentration, and the relationships between the two. RESULTS:Adherence was poor (average,